It’s a football rematch as Santa Ana and Woodbridge meet Friday night at Uni

Junior quarterback Aldo Leyva leads Santa Ana into Friday’s game with Woodbridge. (Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Santa Ana and Woodbridge, two high school football teams coming off losses last week, meet Friday night at University in a nonleague game at 7.

The contest will be the final nonleague game for both teams.

Santa Ana defeated Woodbridge 40-21 last year at Santa Ana Valley. Both teams were hit by graduation and have lots of new starters, especially on offense.

Santa Ana (2-2) is coming off a 48-35 loss to Aliso Niguel while Woodbridge (0-4) lost to Pacifica 42-23.

“We schedule a tough pre-season on purpose because we want to be ready for league and playoffs,” said Santa Ana Coach Charlie TeGantvoort. “Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that this is the goal, to get tested in pre-season. That way when it counts, we’re ready to go.”

TeGantvoort said he expects a solid test from Woodbridge, led by long-time Warrior coach Rick Gibson.

“Obviously (led by) one of the more tenured, experienced coaches in the county and I’m sure his team will be ready and we will do our part to make sure we’re ready as well,” he said.

Woodbridge’s Gibson said he thought the Warriors made some strides last week against Pacifica (2-2).

“I thought defensively we played our best game,” he said. “The score did not show it but the defense only allowed 14 points. The defense was led by Max Tipple.”

Offensively, the Warriors also made strides, Gibson said.

“Offensively we moved the ball on the ground very well,” Gibson said. “Regis Baky had 15 carries for 89 yards and one touchdown and Max Tipple pitched in 12 carries for 64 yards. Jakob Trestik averaged 45 yards on four punts on our special teams.

“Santa Ana will be our last test before league and as with our other games it will take a consistent effort and improvement to be successful.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com